If you’re after a car that packs premium touches, efficient engines and that all-important automatic gearbox, then the Volkswagen up! should definitely be on your list.

As well as being a great cheap used automatic car, it’s also a model which has a lot more space than you might expect from such a compact vehicle.

It’s superb for people driving in urban areas too, and its small size makes it really easy to park. The automatic version takes this ease-of-use one step further and makes the up! feel even more like a go-kart than before.

• The up! might be small, but clever folding seats and a great design mean it’s got plenty of boot space.
• The boxy shape allows the up! to offer enough headroom for taller drivers.
• Automatic up! models are still very frugal which helps to keep bills stay as low as possible.

The SEAT Leon is virtually identical to the Volkswagen Golf, which means that you get the same great build quality – and the option of an automatic gearbox – but at a slightly lower price.

Though the latest generation Leon does look great, if you’re on a budget then the third generation model – made from 2012 – is ideal for drivers who still want plenty of equipment but at a lower price.

It’s arguably more stylish than much of its competition too, with sharper lines and bolder aesthetics. Hatchback versions will be the most commonly found, but there are more practical (though slightly more expensive) estates available, too.

Hyundai’s i10 packs a lot of equipment and style into a compact package. As well as being a cheap automatic car to buy, it’s also incredibly efficient so you shouldn’t have to spend too much when it comes to running costs.

While there is a newer third-generation model available, the second-generation car represents superb value for money and still closely resembles the car that replaced it.

It’s really easy to drive, too, with nice light controls which could make the i10 a great cheap automatic car for all types of drivers.

The A-Class has always been a more upmarket model in the traditional hatchback area, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great used examples that can deliver on price, too.

The vast majority of used examples will be kitted out with an automatic gearbox and they’re some of the best in the business.

Built between 2012 and 2018, The third-generation A-Class is a great choice as it’s still got loads of upmarket features but can be obtained by those on a budget. It also features a sleek exterior design which still looks great today.

The MINI Hatch has been an absolute hit since its rebirth in the 2000s. Encapsulating some of the character of the original classic, the modern MINI Hatch is one of the true motoring success stories. Because it’s been on sale for some time now, there are loads of used examples that don’t break the bank.

While there are various generations to choose from, it’s the second-generation car we’d opt for. As a great option when it comes to cheap automatic used cars, it’s available with either petrol or diesel engines, allowing you to find the right match for your lifestyle.

What we really love though is the retro-inspired interior, which feels like it’s got a great blend of modern touches but with some classic style.

The Audi A3 is a great option for drivers who want a car that feels a little more upmarket. Throughout its many generations, the A3 has established itself a great reputation for being practical, comfortable and really refined.

We’re particularly fond of the third-generation car that was produced between 2012 and 2020. Produced in big numbers, it’s widely available on the used market at some pretty competitive prices while the vast majority of models come with an auto gearbox, too.

The A3 has proven to be a big hit with all types of drivers, particularly those who do longer-distance journeys, as it feels very at home on the motorway. Look out for Sportback models if you’re wanting a bit more space and five doors.

Space is the name of the game with the Skoda Superb. It has always offered loads of room, but the latest third-generation car – which arrived in 2015 and can now be purchased for budget-beating prices – really nailed that practicality brief.

Either in hatch or estate layouts, it’s got a top-notch interior room that makes it one of the best budget family cars out there. The DSG automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to use, taking much of the stress out of longer journeys, while clever touches such as an ice scraper in the fuel filler door and a dashboard clip for holding parking tickets make life much easier.

Frugal diesel engines make the Superb not only one of the cheapest automatic cars to buy but also one of the cheapest to run, while petrol options are efficient in their own right.

If you’re after an automatic car, you don’t always have to opt for a big car. In fact, cars like the Toyota Aygo prove exactly that, with this pint-sized city car available with a great automatic gearbox that fits our brief perfectly.

Not only does it suit our list of cheap automatic cars ideally, it’s also great to drive and really frugal. Maintenance costs should be kept low thanks to the Aygo’s compact 1.0-litre petrol engine, too.

Another bonus is that because of the Aygo’s low price when new, it’s also a great buy on the used market, while all versions come with plenty of features including USB connectivity and DAB digital radio.

Honda’s Jazz is one of those real ‘Tardis’ cars. Like Doctor Who’s famous time machine, the Jazz is a car which has always managed to be much larger on the inside than its exterior proportions would lead you to believe. As a result, people who need some extra space in a car that still remains easy to park and position have always leaned towards the Jazz.

It’s available with a great automatic gearbox, while the third generation – which is one of the cheaper automatic cars on sale today – packs everything you could need.

It’s got a great reputation for reliability, too, while handy ‘Magic Seats’ in the back fold in a clever configuration to help you load taller items – like plants, for example – into the back of the car easily.

If you’re after a cheap automatic car which also happens to be electric, then the i3 could be right on the money. One of a whole new generation of EVs, the i3 incorporated a load of next-generation features and technology, including a lightweight body that used loads of weight-saving carbon fibre.

But despite this, it’s a really great budget-orientated option. Early models might not be able to deliver the best electric range – around 80 miles, in some cases – but if you’re only doing shorter journeys then the i3 could drastically cut the costs of driving.

If you’d like a little bit of a safety net, then there’s also an i3 with a range-extending petrol engine – you fill it up and it’s used to add some extra charge to the battery should it run low.